I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one, but the synopsis made it sound like it was right up my alley – and it was! I absolutely loved this book. This one is a rollercoaster of a story that will have you laughing, crying, and cheering for down-on-her-luck protagonist Margo Millet.

Margo has not had a privileged life. Growing up, her pro-wrestler father was never present (he was married and had kids with someone else, so she didn’t get to see him much), and her mother was a Hooters waitress with a gambling problem. Margo has always had to rely on herself to make it in the world. But when a steamy affair with her English professor results in an unexpected pregnancy, Margo finds herself at a crossroads. Marc (her professor) is married with kids and has no intention of leaving them. Margo’s friends, her mother, and even Marc tell her she should have an abortion, but Margo isn’t sure she wants to. Surely a baby couldn’t ruin her life, right? Everything has always worked out for Margo, so she assumes everything will work out if she keeps it – so she does. And even though she’s immediately smitten with her adorable little guy, having a baby is hard. It is even harder to have a baby and raise it on your own while living with three other people and trying to work. Finding childcare is difficult, and soon, Margo finds herself jobless and desperate.

What follows is a wild and hilarious journey as Margo navigates the ups and downs of motherhood, all while trying to make ends meet. When her estranged father, Jinx, comes knocking on her door, offering to help with childcare in exchange for a place to stay, Margo sees an opportunity to turn her life around. With Jinx’s guidance from the world of wrestling, Margo sets out to make a name for herself in the online world by starting an OnlyFans account, and what happens next is both unexpected and uplifting. But as her fame rises, Margo must confront the darker side of internet culture and grapple with the consequences of her newfound success.

The author expertly weaves together humor, heart, and social commentary, creating a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Margo is a relatable and lovable protagonist whose journey of self-discovery and empowerment is inspiring. I’d never given much thought to what it takes to be an OnlyFans model (honestly, I don’t know a whole lot about OnlyFans at all, though I have heard of it), and watching Margo navigate this new world was intriguing, frustrating, hilarious and at times infuriating. If you thought online culture was toxic before, this book highlights what these people must endure to succeed. The objectification and the shaming of these people who are honestly just trying to make a buck is disgusting. I would have given up, so kudos to Margo for fighting the good fight!

While shining a light on sex work and how different the narrative is when it comes to women (versus men) who do sex work, the book also focuses on addiction and complex family relationships. Margo is honestly a saint. Her mother is a hot mess piece of work desperate to find love and settle down, and her father is a loving but troubled heroin addict. Margo is not only trying to take care of her child but also helping her father and dealing with her mother’s nagging about her line of work. Then, there are the issues that arise with her baby daddy (but I won’t spoil that). Despite some heavy themes, the author deals with them all with honesty, care, and just enough humor to keep it from getting too heavy.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. In all honesty, I think it may have made its way to my favorite read of the year (so far) spot. Filled with sharp wit and keen observations of the modern world, Thorpe’s writing sparkles with authenticity and charm. This is a refreshing and honest look at one woman’s strength and perseverance to make it in a world that is all too quick to judge women. I laughed a lot, and I even teared up a few times. This is a book that I will praise for months to come.